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Arc’teryx Alpine Academy 2014

The 2014 Arc’teryx Alpine Academy was a huge success. With over 300 people taking part in one of a number of clinics, each clinic lead by an IFMGA mountain guide, Chamonix was buzzing with Archaeopteryx’s style and participants.

The four-day festival entered 2014, its third consecutive year, with an iffy forecast but psyched climbers. Luckily the weather held until the final day. The clinics ranged from general mountaineering to advanced alpine techniques and everyone was satisfied.

A number of Arc’teryx athletes were on hand to help with the clinics. Paul McSorley worked one on one with new and advanced climbers, sharing tips and techniques. In total, over 60 guides worked with Arc’teryx to bring people into a world many of them had never seen.

The event also had workshops, classes, a film night and social hours.

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On Sat. June 14, nearly 1,000 people packed the Aiguille du Midi station to watch six films. One of the most powerful was Cerro Torre, which is more or less about David Lama freeclimbing the mountain. The entire 90 minutes was packed with history and wild footage. The film was dedicated to Canadian climber Carlyle Norman, who lost her life in 2012 in Patagonia.

Arc’teryx is more than equipment, it has become a culture of events, festivals and people who excel at their sport.

The 2015 Alpine Academy promises to be another great time. Highly recommended for anyone interested in learning something new or just having fun in the mountains of Chamonix.